Won Buddhism (Wonbulgyo/원불교) is a Korean variation of Buddhism that consists of both Confucian and Buddhist beliefs. It was founded by Park Chung Bin, who also gained the title of “SoTaeSan” after his great enlightenment in 1924.
Meaning
Won Buddhism means Circular or Consummate Buddhism, as Won(원) means circle in the Hangul language.
Meaning of Wonbulgyo: “WON” - circle that symbolizes the ultimate truth. “BUL” - to enlighten the truth. “GYO” - to teach the truth.
Beliefs/Practices
There are four main principles and four sub principles in Won Buddhism.
The four main principles are :
Indebtedness to Heaven and Earth, in which we harbor no thought after rendering beneficence
Indebtedness to Parents and protection of the helpless
Indebtedness to Fellow Beings, benefiting oneself by benefiting others
Indebtedness to Laws, doing justice and forsaking injustice
The four sub principles are :
The Principle of Developing Self-Power
The Principle of the Wise One First
The Principle of Educating Others' Children
The Principle of Venerating the Public Spirited
The Threefold study: cultivating the spirit, developing wisdom, self awareness, and applying virtue to one’s life allows one to reach nirvana.
Won Buddhism takes a faith-based religion and mixes it with the philosophy of a scholar to achieve something that is both logical and yet requires faith. We can see that the principles of education and wise one first as well as indebtedness to parents are influences from Confucianism which also promotes these ideas as part of its philosophy.
Founder
Park Chungbin achieved nirvana at the age of 53 after spending twenty years performing meditation and searching for the ultimate truth. Due to the geographical location of Korea, influences from Chinese Zen Buddhism and Confucianism helped form this unique mixture of culture, religion, and logic.
Temples/Architecture
Praying Location
Won Buddhism’s architecture is much more simple than other types of ornate Buddhism because of its emphasis that Buddha can be found in all things, such as rocks, trees, and other animals in nature. Because of this, their temples are very simple and have few rituals that are repeated. This reflects the influence of Zen Buddhism in Won Buddhism. Similarly, architecture and temple design is less ornate. Won Buddhists meditate and pray in front of a white wall with a black circle, which represents the ultimate truth.
Won Buddhism Today...
In modern day, Won Buddhism is practiced over 14 countries around the world. There are around 550 temples in Korea and over 50 temples overseas. Currently, the number of followers total up to an estimate of 1,400,000.
Sacred Texts
Wonbulgyo Kyojon (“Chongjon” The Principle Book of Won-Buddhism, “Taejongyong” The Discourse of the Great Master)
WON BUDDHISM/WONBULGYO/원불교
Basic Information
Won Buddhism (Wonbulgyo/원불교) is a Korean variation of Buddhism that consists of both Confucian and Buddhist beliefs. It was founded by Park Chung Bin, who also gained the title of “SoTaeSan” after his great enlightenment in 1924.
Meaning
Won Buddhism means Circular or Consummate Buddhism, as Won(원) means circle in the Hangul language.
Meaning of Wonbulgyo:
“WON” - circle that symbolizes the ultimate truth.
“BUL” - to enlighten the truth.
“GYO” - to teach the truth.
Beliefs/Practices
There are four main principles and four sub principles in Won Buddhism.
The four main principles are :
The four sub principles are :
The Threefold study:
cultivating the spirit, developing wisdom, self awareness, and applying virtue to one’s life allows one to reach nirvana.
Won Buddhism takes a faith-based religion and mixes it with the philosophy of a scholar to achieve something that is both logical and yet requires faith. We can see that the principles of education and wise one first as well as indebtedness to parents are influences from Confucianism which also promotes these ideas as part of its philosophy.
Founder
Park Chungbin achieved nirvana at the age of 53 after spending twenty years performing meditation and searching for the ultimate truth. Due to the geographical location of Korea, influences from Chinese Zen Buddhism and Confucianism helped form this unique mixture of culture, religion, and logic.
Temples/Architecture
Won Buddhism’s architecture is much more simple than other types of ornate Buddhism because of its emphasis that Buddha can be found in all things, such as rocks, trees, and other animals in nature. Because of this, their temples are very simple and have few rituals that are repeated. This reflects the influence of Zen Buddhism in Won Buddhism. Similarly, architecture and temple design is less ornate. Won Buddhists meditate and pray in front of a white wall with a black circle, which represents the ultimate truth.
Won Buddhism Today...
In modern day, Won Buddhism is practiced over 14 countries around the world. There are around 550 temples in Korea and over 50 temples overseas. Currently, the number of followers total up to an estimate of 1,400,000.
Sacred Texts
For additional information on Won Buddhism meditation and Won Buddhism in general, visit __http://wonbuddhism.info/me/me_2.html__ and __http://www.wonbuddhism.info__
Works Cited
Sources:
McEnroe, A.. "The Educational Theory of Confucius." NewFoundations: Publishing and Consultancy. N.p., 23 June 2001. Web. 15 Feb. 2011. <____http://www.newfoundations.com/GALLERY/Confucius.html____>.
"Won Buddhism." Agnosticism / Atheism - Skepticism & Atheism for Atheists & Agnostics. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Feb. 2011. <____http://atheism.about.com/library/glossary/eastern/bldef_wonbuddhism.htm____>.
"Won Buddhism - New World Encyclopedia." Info:Main Page - New World Encyclopedia. N.p., 6 Nov. 2008. Web. 16 Feb. 2011. <____http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Won_Buddhism____>.
unsan. "wonworld." Won-buddhism : Buddhism, Meditation. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Feb. 2011. <____http://www.wonbuddhism.info/info/page/1.html____>.
Pictures:
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